PNP to set up more checkpoints for poll gun ban

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will be establishing more checkpoints beginningSunday as part of its security preparations for the May 2016 elections.

The election period will officially begin on January 10 at 12:01 am and will end on June 8, or a month after the May 9elections.

The checkpoints will be set up in well-lit areas, manned by a police, with signs indicating that it is a Commission on Elections checkpoint, with the name of the team leader and the Comelec officer, according to Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, the PNP spokesperson.

Mayor also encouraged the public to report violations of the election gun ban with the use of their gadgets such as camera phones, and through social media.

“We can take videos so that we can correct whatever defects we have on the ground, and at the same time sanction the officers for not conforming to the operational procedures,” the PNP spokesperson said in a press briefing in Camp Crameon Thursday.

He explained that the Comelec checkpoints in strategic areas would help deter the transport of firearms in violatin of the election gun ban.

At least one checkpoint will be established in every town or city.

Checkpoints only allow a visual search of vehicles, which means that motorists are not compelled to open their vehicles to policemen conducting the search.

“We ask our countrymen to cooperate with the checkpoints to avoid delays, especially at night,” Mayor said as he asked for patience should there be inconvenience for motorists.

The gun ban will be also imposed during the election period, with only authorized personnel such as PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel allowed to carry firearms but with conditions.

Personnel of the PNP’s Police Security and Protection Group assigned to personalities and who are exempted from the gun ban are required to be in uniform.

Law enforcement agents are required to bring permits authorizing them to bear firearms.  SFM